Hmm.. I stopped using powerpoint altogether because it has become outdated and students are bored to death with it. There are much much more exciting software online to use for presentations that are interactive. For example voicethread. If you are interested in learning more I can tell you. Just don't want to jump into the discussion when most of you are using ppt. :)

Hello

I teach EFL in Saudi Arabia.  I have developed a few presentations of my own and I've used several that I found online.  When I taught prep year students, I used PPTs regularly, about once a week.  The only other software I used was Sanako.  It's good for speaking activities.  Where I am, the director encourages the use of technology.  However, there has been little time to train all teachers.  We have 4 smart rooms but have yet to use them.  I will be teaching pre-service teachers this coming semester and this will be a major topic of discussion.

Amal

Everyday new learning technologies are appearing for teachers to learn and implement. These new technologies like the collaborative learning and electronic flashcards definitely help the students to learn faster.

To motivate a student to learn, we have to get him to like to learn.To get the student's interest, the teacher will have to implement innovative learning processes in his learning routine like using quizzes,flashcards with videos and photos. This will make the learning more of a fun activity and student  will be able to memorize details also.

A good example of this and is a website called http://www.funnelbrain.com, this site gives us a collaborative platform to create flash cards with videos, audio, images and text.  The concept of student ‘funnel’ and concurrent changes to flashcards are innovative.  I have used this and found it to be very useful with my students.

Hi my name is Liz. I'm from Mexico, I teach English in a secondary school.  And I would like to know more about collaborative projects? How do you work this with your students? Thanks

Hi Sara

Thank you for your response it is very interesting to learn how schools around the world are using technology in their classrooms.  For me particularly in their use of on screen multi media shows such as Power Point.  As I develop them as a hobby collaborating with some teachers in other countries with whom we are also developing duel language systems. 

Your learning for their future item was of particular interest to me , as I did at one time teach Business Administration  it was very useful to teach a whole range of business and work related subjects to my students.  MS Excel  I have also found  extremely useful as a testing medium for subjects studied and the student’s knowledge retention of them.

I would be happy to discuss or exchange ideas with you, should it be of any interest to you.

Thanks for your time responding

John F

PS. If you scroll through the following epals teacher forums  (Epals Wanted) (Epals from around the World Wanted) (Aug 15^th 2009) and teacher forum (Global Issues/Current Events)  (How History is Taught) (Aug 1^st 2009) there are currently three contents slides from example PP shows of mine covering different subjects which may interest you.

I have used powerpoint and other presentations software (new favorite is prezi.com) in my classroom.  I use them to do agenda items and present homework on a small scale and for lessons that require a large number of print images.  We also have students create their own slideshows instead of traditional research projects.

We're beginning to make use of technology in other educational settings, such as podcasting writing pieces and digital storytelling.  I look forward to pulling students in to more and more technological and collaborative projects that mimic the real world applications they may need later.

Hi Pablo

Thank you for your kind response, I found it most interesting and useful.

As well as teaching ICT and acting as a teacher trainer in the subject, I myself have been producing PowerPoint presentations and other ICT forms of study and testing students knowledge and understanding of a subject for a considerable number of years.

Since retirement as a hobby I now collaborate with a number of teachers around the world sharing and jointly producing like materials.  It is very helpful to learn others experiences and other teachers points of view on the subject.  Even we as teachers continue to learn from life and each other.

I fully agree with most of the points you raise in your response, but have found areas where it can be useful without a teacher being present, and have been told that such use has been very useful in some situations that I have developed materials for use in. (Home Schooling and Hospital Schooling for long term ill students.)   I have to admit most of my presentations and shows because of there content are much longer than your recommendation of (10mins).

I do however insert hyper linked content lists in them allowing selection of the individual subject matters included to be viewed and therefore make time control of the study period possible. 

Once again thank you for your response and feedback.

Regards from London England.

John F

Hi John

I use multi media and power point presentations very often but I try to be selective and I don't want my students to feel overwhelmed by too many things.

In general I make my own power point presentations , but if I copy something I adapt and I keep in mind certain rules.: The presentation needs a teacher ( doesn't work if sts copy the Presentation in a pen drive and study it at home) . The text has to be brief and concise. Good quality images, Good color contrast. Avoid transitions or too many special effects. The presentation ideally lasts 10 mins.

I also use other multimedia devices such as podcasts , DVD and "old school material"  images an my own drawing. 

the use of multimedia  in the classrooom is just a complement so i try to use it in a controlled way .

Regards From Chile.

Pablo Abarca

Hi

How do you make the most of PowerPoint and other multi Media software in your classroom? If at all.

Do you develop your own shows?

To what end?

Is there room for more of this type of technology supported learning in schools?

John F